Afternoon stroll for Run Julie Run

RUN JULIE RUN, the brave filly who lost last year’s Jamaica Derby by a half-length to CROWN CHASER, yesterday posted a routine victory in the Legal Light Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards, booking her ticket back to grade one after being beaten at the level by ATOMICA in November’s Jamaica Cup.

Taking a hop, two classes higher, to face ATOMICA in the Jamaica Cup, RUN JULIE RUN waltzed through grades three and two, landing the King’s Plate early December and Miracle Man feature on New Year’s Day, respectively.

After two failed attempts in three weeks against foreigners, who she had avoided in December’s Mouttet Mile, RUN JULIE RUN got relief in the Legal Light against inferior company.

With her job made easier by stablemate GEOLITHIC, who dragged former stablemate NEO STAR down the backstretch, RUN JULIE RUN sat third off the fray with Reyan Lewis before going second a half-mile out.

Pointing on GEOLITHIC three furlongs out from along the rail, RUN JULIE RUN straightened in charge but was soon hounded by a rallying NEO STAR. Showing her undisputed class, already proven in grade one against ATOMICA, RUN JULIE RUN sprinted clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:57.0 ahead of INSPIRE FORCE closing from downtown.

Having won two open allowance races (grade two) in four months, RUN JULIE RUN can no longer hide from the Mouttet Mile gunners awaiting her in grade one, the likes of COMMANDANT, BARNABY, TIZ TOK, speedy PACK PLAYS and, of course, local-heroine ATOMICA.

New claiming riders continue to reap success, gaining the confidence of trainers eager to slip weight. Richie Shakes led his batchmates with a two-timer, opening and closing the 10-race card astride BANGARANG and BROMPTON ALEX, respectively.

Nicardo Carr won the claiming-riders-only sixth race astride ANOTHER MISSION, whereas Tajay Suckoo got his 13th winner aboard SONOGRAM, who closed a hat-trick of wins out the straight course in the ninth, a third win in four starts for the four-year-old colt.

Racing continues on Saturday.